The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) plans to move those on six legacy benefits to Universal Credit by 2024.
The reason for the change and the six benefits being replaced is because all have complex and inefficient systems based on ageing, inflexible IT. Universal Credit uses a modern, digital system which stood up to the test of COVID-19 where it quickly ensured three million new claimants were protected from the financial impact of the pandemic.
Claimants are gradually being notified of these changes and will have their benefit entitlement of Universal Credit assessed against current claims. Although notifications will be gradually sent out across the country, people who are currently claiming legacy benefits do not have to wait to be moved to Universal Credit, reported Somerset Live.